Indonesia and Finland celebrate friendship at the summer festival
The beginning is celebrated In the summer, hundreds of Indonesians, Finns and visitors from different countries gathered to experience Indonesia for two days in the center of Helsinki. While enjoying Indonesian culinary cuisine, guests are entertained by traditional dance performances such as Tor-Tor, Lenggang Nyai, Gaba-Gaba, Angklung music, various modern songs and musical performances that invite the audience to dance.
In addition to food and performances, there were also various tourist stalls, Indonesian handicrafts and a children’s corner that offers experiences of traditional games for Indonesian children.
The excitement was felt at the Indonesia-Finland Festival 2022. Indonesia and Finland organized the Indonesia-Finland Festival 2022 at Helsinki Railway Square on June 4 and 5, 2022. The festival is mainly supported by the Indonesian Embassy in Helsinki, the Ministry of Finland. Finnish Foreign Affairs, City of Helsinki, Indonesian Diaspora, Bank Indonesia, Turkish Airlines, Bank BNI, Mokkamestarit Coffee Roastery and other stakeholders. The event has also been attended by SMEs from five Indonesian provinces under the auspices of the Central Bank of Indonesia, SMEs from Nusantara Ry (an Indonesian organization in Finland) and Indonesian local entrepreneurs.
This festival is a celebration of friendship between Indonesia and Finland. Indonesia and Finland have maintained diplomatic relations since 1954 and both countries share common values such as democracy and sustainability. HE Ratu Silvy Gayatri, the Ambassador of Indonesia to Finland, and HE Jari Sinkari, Director General of the Americas and Asia Department of the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, started the festival by beating Indonesian Gong.
The festival will also share a common spirit during Indonesia’s G20 presidency in 2022. Indonesia will take over the G20 presidency in 2022 and took on the theme of “Hope Together, Hope Stronger” to encourage joint efforts for global economic recovery. Inclusive, people-centered, environmentally friendly and sustainable growth is Indonesia’s main commitment as President of the G20.
The Indonesia Finland Festival is planned to take place every year to begin a series of events commemorating the independence of the Republic of Indonesia on August 17, 1945. The Indonesia Finland Festival serves as a means to increase understanding and promote mutually beneficial cooperation through a number of activities, including: 1) Getting to know “Journey” to Indonesia: cultural performances, traditional and contemporary art, culinary festival, children’s corner (experiencing Indonesian and Finnish traditional children’s games, face paintings, umbrella paintings), 2) Promoting trade, tourism and investment: showcase creative economy products from Indonesia and Finland, travel tourist information and 3) Indonesian Consular Service.
Embassy of Indonesia in Helsinki